By Shalan Darragh
Headliners is head of the class
Headliners Music Hall… love it.
Since I moved to Louisville, most of the shows that I’ve seen within the city have been at Headliners. It’s as if the place was built to give you all that you expect and hope for when a show you want to check out comes to the area. Sure, the parking lot could be a little bigger, but the fact that at some shows you have to park all the way down Lexington Road confirms the feeling that you’re going to something big, something that a lot of other people just like you are heading to as well. It’s definitely worth the walk to the door. Besides, my side view mirrors are always intact when I return to my car.
Though the line may be long, it’s worth the wait. Every time I’ve been to Headliners, the bouncers have been courteous and completely cool. They take your ID, check it and let you go through. No harassment, no dramatic scenes, just a “have a good time.” I think that’s why people respect the place and don’t try to one-up them on the fake ID’s. Then again, I’m not a bouncer there, so I can’t get into specifics about that subject. Even on a packed WFPK appreciation night, many folks wait patiently.
The bar is great, with lots to offer. Take a few steps up from the front door and you’re there. They don’t stiff you on the alcohol and stick you with the mix. Tables and chairs line the railing to the floor so that if you’re in at the right time, you can grab a drink and a great seat. Now, as a whole, the bar staff has always appeared to get the job done. One particular bartender has always served me, not by choice, but by chance. In my opinion, she’s excellent. Friendly and fast, she deserves a good tip. Even when she runs into a few losers, she still manages to smile. I have no idea what her name is, but if there are any single guys (or girls?) out there, it’s worth the cover charge to try and find out.
The floor is a decent size, and it packs a lot of people. There is a balcony/standing room area above to the right of the bar, and you can lean and scope out whoever it is that you might be trying to find. They don’t stick the sound guys somewhere obscene, but instead they put them on the ground floor near the bar to do their thing, and it really makes the whole place seem closeknit. I guess in a way it sounds kind of cheesy, but stadium tours are nice… sometimes. Others, you need that smaller venue with a personal touch.
It’s dark when you walk through the door. No house lights to stand in until the show starts. And the few lights that are on make a nice setting for the smoke stream, which can get interesting after a couple drinks.
If I had to compare Headliners to another venue, I might compare it to the Theatre of the Living Arts on South Street in Philadelphia. If you’re ever in that city, I strongly suggest you see a show there if you haven’t already. The staff and the general feel of the crowd are similar to those at Headliners. The setup is physically different, but they each have the same components. TLA serves quite a few known bands, and though Headliners serves them as well, Headliners offers more up and coming bands. It’s not to say that one is better than the other. I believe that if Headliners keeps it up, they’ll gain on such venues as TLA. Frankly, I think Headliners has had their finger on it all along, and it’s just a matter of time. Once you see that plane, you start to wonder. It will all turn out fine.
